Kenya: Teachers say no to FGM tests on school girls

Teachers in Narok County, Kenya, have rejected a directive by County Commissioner George Natembeya to have all girls in secondary and upper primary schools undergo mandatory pregnancy and FGM tests.

The teachers termed the directive as demeaning and invasion on the rights of the learners.

Narok Kuppet secretary general Charles Ng’eno said the directive is not within their mandate and urged teachers to ignore it.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We shall not accept such directive because it infringes on the rights of learners. The directive doesn’t fall within the mandate of the teachers,” said Mr Ng’eno.

UNDERGONE FGM

Mr Ngeno further said no learner has undergone FGM while in school adding that such retrogressive practices usually take place when schools are closed.

“The directive is in bad faith. We cannot be asked to invade the privacy of our learners. We have a duty to teach and we shall do that. What the commissioner wants us to do fall within the mandate of the parents and provincial administrators,” he said.

However, the Kuppet official welcomed the move by Mr Natembeya to address the issue of rampant pregnancies among school girls.

“Teenage pregnancies are a major problem in Narok but the approach should be consultative rather than a one-man directive,” said Mr Ng’eno.

He added: “Parents and stakeholders entirely agree that the issue of teenage pregnancies amongst school girls must be addressed but the approach by the county commissioner is totally wrong.”

“How shall we undo the cut that has already taken place? We need ways of stopping it before it happens,” added Mr Ngeno.

He spoke as residents took to social media expressing mixed reactions on the announcement.

“How can this happen in modern day Kenya? It’s illegal and uncouth to check on the girls private parts,” said Easter Ndilai.